Comparison of three morale measures: a survey, pooled group judgments, and self-evaluations

Abstract

An attitude survey, a peer nomination form, and self-ratings, of "interest in and enthusiansm for naval aviation," were administered to 8 sections of naval aviation cadets (N = 210). The 3 morale measures intercorrelated about .4. Against a pass-withdraw criterion, the 3 validity coefficients (biserial r's) were .90 for the group estimate of each cadet's morale (based on peer nomination), .83 for the self-estimate, and .30 for the survey estimate. "The conclusion is offered that peer nominations and direct self descriptions may have greater utility in reflecting involvement in a training program than does the traditional 'morale index' derived from a survey instrument." (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)